Which U.S. States Have the Most Vacant Houses per Homeless Person?
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Homelessness in the United States is an urgent humanitarian and public health crisis that shows no signs of waning. American homelessness reached a record high in 2024, jumping a staggering 18.1% from 2023, which was also a record-breaking year with a 12% rise. Vulnerable Americans have struggled during the post-pandemic years, facing unrelenting challenges such as the termination of the eviction ban, natural disasters, mass migration to larger cities, and skyrocketing housing costs.
A record number of renters have become cost-burdened, meaning they pay over 30% of their income just for housing alone. A report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that the number of homeless people in the U.S. reached over 770,000 on a single January night in 2024, a record that has only been surpassed by the two million homeless during the Great Depression.
Despite the heartbreaking rates of homelessness in the U.S., there is still an abundance of vacant homes. MortgageCalculator.org has created this visual guide to highlight which U.S. states have the most vacant homes per homeless person to help shed light on this complex issue:

There are over 14 million vacant houses across the country. Based on 2023 figures, this equates to approximately 21.56 vacant homes per homeless person.
However, the distribution of these vacant homes is highly uneven. While some states struggle with high homelessness rates, others—particularly rural states—have significantly more empty homes per unhoused individual.
Which State Has the Most Vacant Homes per Homeless Person?
Mississippi has 187.31 vacant homes per homeless person, by far the highest rate in the country. This high rate can be attributed to the state’s relatively low overall homeless population. Surprisingly, despite 19.58% of Mississippi’s population living below the poverty line—the highest poverty rate in the U.S.—homelessness remains relatively low due to a cost of living 15% below the national average.
Additionally, about 54% of Mississippi’s population resides in rural areas, where housing demand is lower and affordability is higher. However, Mississippi’s largest city, Jackson, has nearly 25% of the state’s abandoned properties. This creates hotspots for crime, lowers surrounding property values, and discourages investment in those neighborhoods.
Why Are There So Many Vacant Homes in the U.S.?
Vacant homes in the U.S. exist for several reasons:
- Seasonal vacation homes: Some are only occupied for part of the year.
- Investment properties: Owners wait for the right time to sell or rent them out.
- Abandoned properties: Homes that are stuck in legal limbo, foreclosed, or in disrepair.
- Lack of demand: Some homes remain empty in declining cities and rural areas where jobs are scarce.
Many vacant homes alongside a worsening homelessness crisis reveal systemic failures within the housing market. Cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and St. Louis struggle with high vacancy rates due to economic downturns, while wealthy metro areas like San Francisco and New York face housing shortages that drive up rent costs.
Homelessness in the U.S.: A Historical Perspective
Homelessness in the U.S. has fluctuated throughout history, with spikes during tumultuous periods such as the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the 1980s recession. The early 1980s marked the start of what we now consider the modern era of homelessness. Key contributing factors include:
- Gentrification of inner cities
- High unemployment rates
- The deinstitutionalization of mental health patients
- Deep cuts to social service funding
- Lack of affordable housing
Today, America is experiencing one of its worst affordable housing crises. Major cities have been hit hardest. Between 2019 and 2023, rents in major metros increased by 30.4%, while wages only grew by 20.2%.
Who Is Most Affected by Homelessness?
Homelessness does not affect all communities equally. Systemic inequalities have led to disproportionate rates of homelessness among certain groups:
Racial Disparities in Homelessness
- White Americans: 11.5 per 10,000 people
- African Americans: 55.2 per 10,000
- American Indians/Alaskan Natives: 66.6 per 10,000
- Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders: 159.8 per 10,000
LGBTQ+ Community
LGBTQ+ individuals experience a 120% higher risk of homelessness compared to non-LGBTQ+ individuals.
How to Avoid Homelessness & How to Help
Around 50% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, meaning they are just one major crisis away from homelessness. Families struggling with housing costs should consider:
- Seeking rental assistance programs
- Exploring affordable housing options
- Building emergency savings
- Finding nonprofit or government aid resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with housing insecurity, these organizations offer valuable assistance:
- National Coalition for the Homeless – Finding Help
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Rental Assistance
- Volunteers for America – Assisting Those Experiencing Homelessness
Final Thoughts
The homelessness crisis and the abundance of vacant homes in the U.S. expose deep flaws in the housing system. While millions of homes sit empty, record numbers of Americans are struggling to find shelter. Addressing this crisis requires policy changes, investment in affordable housing, and a rethinking of how vacant homes can be better utilized.
Would you support policies that convert vacant homes into affordable housing? Share your thoughts in the comments!